Roses and Rosehips

[AARTY]

My MIL has about 15 rose bushes and I was wondering if snapping off the dead bloom heads is a good idea or is that what becomes the rosehips? My wife likes to go through the rose bushes and pick off the dead blooms, it relaxes her.

[Deberosa]

I've made rose hip jelly in the past. They are rich in vitamin C. The hips are what is left of the flower so you can't pick the flowers if you want rose hips. You also don't pick them till well after frost, you can see when they are large enough.

I've found that the wilder varieties of roses have the bigger hips in my yard anyhow.

[bookwormom]

we used to pick wild rosehips, mostly of the variety rosa canina. It depends on what grows in your are. Here in KY we have lots of the very invasive multifloars that have little bitty hips good for nothing. the birds eat them and spread the roses all over. I planted 30 rosa rugosas, they are great for jam and wine. I also like to eat them raw. and don't forget the itching powder inside of them ;)

[AARTY]

Itching powder? does it make you itch or prevent it? Thanks for the replies!

[lateaprildawn]

Hi Aarty,

If you slice open a rose hip you will find hundreds of little seeds. Each seed is covered in tiny bristles. Lay these seeds out to dry a little ,then pop a handful down your shirt ;D ;D ;D No need to powder them at all.

Very very tickly,
Best wishes,
April

[tomato204]

If it has "hundreds" of little seeds, it's not a rose hip.

[lateaprildawn]

Very true , hundreds was an exageration. Mine seem to average ablot 60 to 70 per rosehip.

Best wishes,
April